1._A servant of God _This extended and laborious commendation of his apostleship shows that Paul had in view the whole Church, and not Titus alone; for his apostleship was not disputed by Titus, and Paul is in the habit of proclaiming the titles of his calling, in order to maintain his authority. Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
2._In the hope _(or, _on account of the hope_) _of eternal life _This undoubtedly denotes the cause; for that is the force of the Greek preposition ἐπί _; _and therefore it may be translated, “On account of the hope,” or “On the hope.” True religion and the practice of godliness — begin with meditat... [ Continue Reading ]
3._But hath manifested _There was indeed some manifestation of this kind, when God in ancient times spake by his prophets; but because Christ publicly, displayed by his coming those thing which they had obscurely predicted, and the Gentiles were afterwards admitted into the fellowship of the covenan... [ Continue Reading ]
4_To Titus, my own son, according to the common faith. _Hence it is evident in what sense a minister of the word is said to beget spiritually those whom he brings to the obedience of Christ, that is, so that he himself is also begotten. Paul declares himself to be the father of Titus, with respect t... [ Continue Reading ]
5._For this reason I left thee in Crete _This preface clearly proves, that Titus is not so much admonished on his own account as recommended to others, that no one may hinder him. Paul testifies that he has appointed him in his own room; and on that account all should acknowledge and receive him wit... [ Continue Reading ]
6._If any one is blameless _In order that no one may be angry with Titus, as if he were too rigorous or severe in rejecting any, Paul takes the whole blame to himself; (217) for he declares that he has expressly commanded, that no one may be admitted, unless he be such a person as is here described.... [ Continue Reading ]
7._For a bishop ought to be blameless, as a governor of the house of God _He again repeats, that they who aspire to the office of a bishop ought to retain an unspotted reputation; and he confirms it by this argument, that, because the Church is the house of God, every person who is appointed to gove... [ Continue Reading ]
8._But hospitable, devoted to kindness _Hence it is evident how destructive is that plague which tears the Church by quarrels. With this vice he contrasts, first, docility, and next, gentleness and modesty towards all; for a bishop will never teach well, who is not also ready to learn. Augustine pra... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Holding fast the faithful word _This is the chief gift in a bishop, who is elected principally for the sake of teaching; for the Church cannot be governed in any other way than by the word. “The faithful word” is the appellation which he gives to that doctrine which is pure, and which has proceed... [ Continue Reading ]
10_For there are many unruly. _(224) After having laid down a general rule, which ought to be everywhere observed, in order that Titus may be more attentive to adhere to it, he holds out to him the urgent necessity which ought to excite him more than all things else. He warns him that he has to deal... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Whose mouth must be stopped _A good pastor ought therefore to be on the watch, so as not to give silent permission to wicked and dangerous doctrines to make gradual progress, or to allow wicked men an opportunity of spreading them. But it may be asked, “How is it possible for a bishop to constrai... [ Continue Reading ]
12_One of themselves, a prophet of their own _I have no doubt that he who is here spoken of is Epimenides, who was a native of Crete; for, when the Apostle says that this author was “one of themselves,” and was “a prophet of their own,” he undoubtedly means that he belonged to the nation of the Cret... [ Continue Reading ]
13._This testimony is true. _(230) How worthiness soever the witness may have been, (231) yet the truth which has been spoken by him is acknowledged by Paul. The inhabitants of Crete, of whom he speaks with such sharpness were undoubtedly very wicked. The Apostle, who is wont to reprove mildly those... [ Continue Reading ]
14_And may not listen to Jewish fables _He now shews in what “sound faith” consists — when it is not corrupted by any “fables.” But in guarding against the danger he prescribes this remedy — not to give ear to them; for God wishes us to be so attentive to his word, that there shall be no entrance fo... [ Continue Reading ]
15_To the pure all things indeed are pure _He glances at one class of fabulous opinions; for the choice of the kinds of food, (such as was temporarily enjoined by Moses,) together with purifications and washings, were insisted on as being still necessary, and they even made holiness to consist almos... [ Continue Reading ]
16_They profess that they know God _He treats those persons as they deserve; for hypocrites, who give their whole attention to minute observances, despise fearlessly what constitutes the chief part of the Christian life. The consequence is, that they display their vanity, while contempt of God is ma... [ Continue Reading ]